Soalan Bertulis / Ucapan Penangguhan

Saudara Arul telah membangkitkan beberapa persoalan berhubung isu pangsapuri kos rendah di MPKJ pada 31/7/2012 seperti berikut:

1. Adakah rumah kos rendah masih dibina di daerah Hulu Langat. Sila berikan statistik dan harga rumah atau adakah hanya rumah mampu milik yang dibina dan apakah harga rumah mampu milik? Adakah harga rumah mampu milik yang standart sudah ditetapkan?
2.  Terdapat banyak aduan mengenai harga yang ditetapkan oleh management committee (MC) untuk maintenance di pangsapuri kos rendah. Pemilihan MC di kawasan pangsapuri kos rendah oleh COB adakah ia satu proses yang transparent dan adakah harga yang dikenakan adalah ditetapkan oleh COB atau MC itu?
3. Sila beri senarai pangsapuri kos rendah di daerah kawalan MPKJ yang berjaya mendapat bantuan skim ceria dari kerajaan negeri Selangor dan juga bantuan dari kerajaan persekutuan.

Sambutan Setahun Pembebasan PSM EO6

Sambutan Ulangtahun pembebasan EO6 diadakan di Dewan St. John Ipoh Perak dihadiri oleh lebihkurang 400 orang.

Turut hadir adalah Sdr jaya , Haris Ibrahim dan Tasleem.

Daibawah adalah kenyataan akhbar sempena satu tahun pembebasan

One year later, the questions remain unanswered ?

29 July 2012

Today marks the one year anniversary of the release of the PSM EO6 who were robbed of their freedom on 25 June 2011 where they were detained with 26 others. On 2 July 2011, they were technically released but rearrested under the Emergency Ordinance.

The six, M.Saraswathy, Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj,  Choo Chon Kai, Sarat Babu, M Sukumaran, and A Letchumanan were detained for another 28 days in solitary confinement without the right to trial. Their release came about exactly one year ago, only after a massive local and international campaign which saw people from all walks of life standing together against injustice and tyranny.

As we commemorate their release one year ago, we would like to thank all those who stood in the part of justice, fairplay and democracy. Without the intervention of the many, their release would not have been possible.

One year has passed. Under pressure, the ruling party has dismantled some draconian laws such as the ISA, lifted the three emergencies as well as enacted the freedom of Assembly bills and other bills. These bills were replaced with new bills and laws with new names. Yet we remain sceptical that real change has taken place.

One year later, we still seek justice on the many allegation and fabrication levelled at us. Among them, we were accused of waging a war against the Agong, planning to bomb police stations, our buses carried weapons, we has a conspiracy with International terrorist groups, we possessed subversive documents, we plan to revive the Malayan Communist Party, we posed a threat to public order and that we were the key organiser of BERSIH2.

Meanwhile detained PSM members besides being deprived of the freedom have also been subjected to insults, assaults, humiliations and trauma.  The scar remains forever.

One year later, the questions remain unanswered. Till today, we continue to seek answers and justice. While we await our court date, the perpetrators have yet to apologize nor answered to our questions raised in letters, memorandums, Parliament questions and police reports.

One year later our quest to seek a better Malaysia and a better world continues. We remain steadfast in our struggle and in our socialist ideology. We will march on till real changes occur.

Udahlah tu, Bersaralah.... It is time for change.

S.Arutchelvan

Secretary General

Sdr. Chin Huat mother's funeral

PSM members S.Arutchelavan, V.Selvam and Letchimi Devi paid their respect to Wong Chin Huat's mother Tang Soi Moy who passed away. The ceremony was held in jalan Kuari.

Also a foundatioan was formed to held assist poor children -Tang Soi Moy Pro-poor Education Fund

Projek terbengkalai Seri Raya - Hanya Pampasan sahaja yang boleh diberi

Wakil Projek Terbengkalai Seri Raya dalama mesyauarat dengan PNSB 

Tidak ada banyak pilihan dan akhirnya mangsa Projek Ruamah terbengkalai Seri Raya Kajang akhirnya setuju dengan menyelesaikan isu iani memalui bayaran pampasan yang perlu ditentukan . Projek ini telah terbengkalai selama 20 tahun. Projek pada mulanya merupakan usahasama antara SSI (State Secretary Incorporated) dengan pemaju swasta, Kausar Sdn Bhd dengan PNSB, sebuah anak syarikat kerajaan negeri sebagai pengurus projek. Setelah sekian lama Kausar tidak berkeupayaan untuk mengendalikan masalah projek terbengkalai, pada tahun 2009 melalui gesaan Task-Force, PNSB telah mengambilalih projek tersebut daripada Kausar. 

Akhirnya Task Force sendiri tidak dapata menangani dan para pembeli dengan bantuan PSM kajang kemudian menghantar memorandum kepada YAB Menteri besar dan disusuli dengan mesyuarat dengan MB.

Akhirnya PNSB telah menjemput mangsa untuk asaatu mesyuarat ayang turut dihadiri oleh Sdr Arul dan Sevan selaku Setiausaha Cawangan PSM kajang yang banyaka membant mangsa Projek terbengkalai ini.

Hasil perbincangan adalah projek tidak dapaat dipulihkan dan PNSB akan cuba memabayar kos pampasan yang munasabah kepada para pembeli.

Diskusi Kiri- Jenayah dan pilihanraya

Pustaka Kiri menganjur satu diskusi kiri berhubung dengan jenayah yang semakin banyak dilaporkan kebelakangan ini oleh pihak media. Diskusi diadakan pada 26 Julai 2012 di pejabat PSM Kajang, 8.00 malam. Lebih 30 masyarakat akar umbi dari Cheras, Kajang dan Rinching telah mengambil bahagian dalam diskusi ini yang dilihat sebagai satu masalah yang mengancam keselamatan serta merosakkan masa depan generasi muda. Antara pandangan-pandangan yang dikongsi bersama:

• pihak polis adalah salah satu punca kenapa jenayah semakin berleluasa - ‘they are not preventing because they are part of the crime e.g. trafficking, abduction, smuggling and many other organised crimes’. Polis juga membebabaskan penjenayah-penjenayah dengan ambil rasuah! Mereka hanya tangkap ‘petty thieves’
• di sekolah gangsterism semakin teruk;  cikgu tak dapat kawal pelajar-pelajar; kadar racism agak tinggi disekolah; sistem pendidikan yang gagal memastikan pendekatan sesuai untuk pelejar lemah 

• didikan keluarga lemah – nilai-nilai murni tidak dididik; tidak lagi meluangkan masa dengan anak-anak;budak-budak sekecil 8 tahun terdedah kepada keganasan; video game; movies…
• Sistem ekonomi yang tidak seimbang: pengangguran, gaji yang sangat rendah dan kos kehidupan yang semakin tinggi memberi paling banyak beri kesan kepada mereka yang miskin dan anak-anak muda; etnik India paling banyak terlibat dalam gangsterim dan jenayah akibat kurang peluang ekonomi.
• Pengaruh Kawan – terutama dikalangan anak-anak muda berumur 14 tahun ke atas.
• Pendatang asing punca ….
• Kerajaan dan polis menjadi pendorong
• Media menakut-nakutkan rakyat – adakah ia satu yang terancang untuk menjadikan rakyat ‘prisoners in their own home’. Adakah ini satu lagi plot pilihanraya?

Peserta-peserta telah di bahagi kepada 2 kumpulan untuk membincang 2 soalan berikut:

a) Di katakan jenayah berlaku kerana wujud ketidaksamarataan dalam masyarakat dari segi kelas dan kekuatan ekonomi. Adakah anda setuju dengan kenyataan ini berdasarkan pengalaman Malaysia. Apakah peranan kita sebagai rakyat untuk memperbaiki keadaan ini?

b) Pilihanraya semakin hampir namum pihak media semakin banyak melaporkan insiden-insiden ganas. Ada udang di sebalik batuke? Maksudnya, rakyat ditakutkan (fear) sehingga mereka rasa tidak berdaya ‘powerless’ untuk mengambil sebarang langkah pro-aktif. Adakah anda setuju? Apakah langkah-langkah yang boleh kita lakukan di kawasan tempat tinggal masing-masing untuk mencegah jenayah?

Antara cadangan peserta ialah:

1. Di setiap kawasan perumahan wajib ada persatuan-persatuan penduduk membincang isu jenayah dan membuat perancangan untuk mencegah jenayah e.g. kempen mencegah jenayah seperti mana kempen mencegah aedes!

2. Di setiap kawasan perumahan, perlu ada kemudahan-kemudahan untuk anak-anak muda  yang diuruskan secara bersama oleh komuniti disana seperti padang (kebanyakan kawasan perumahan, padang tidak dibina lagi), computer lab dan lain-lain program rekreasi.

3. Membuat petisyen dan hantar kepada pihak kerajaan berhubung peranan kerajaan mengawal jenayah.

Cerita dari blog http://psmkajang.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/jenayah-semakin-ganas-kenapa/

Revisiting the EO6 Saga Forum

The Panel Hisham Rais, Nuruk Izzah, Nalini E(moderator), Kumar dan Edmond Bon

Dr Kumar We need 3 force to watch the new government

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has a representative democracy, where voters get to choose their leaders once in five years, but needs a participative democracy for the people to truly exercise their power over matters that affect their lives, said human rights lawyer Edmund Bon.

“The ballot won’t change anything if all that voters get to do is to choose the 5% of the country’s elite who decide on all the important issues for the next five years,” Bon told a forum on Wednesday night.

The event was held to mark the first anniversary of the detention of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) leaders ahead of the Bersih 2.0 rally for clean and fair elections last year.

The forum, organised by Parti Sosialis Malaysia, had the theme Revisiting the EO6 Saga: Has the democratic space improved after one year? Bon said a wide range of reforms are needed to put the people back in charge because at present there is an over-concentration of powers in the hands of the elite.

These include reducing the powers of politicians, barring their involvement in business, introducing referendums, making town hall meetings compulsory and reinstating local government elections.

Other changes needed are a greater devolution of power to the states, proportional representation in parliament, removing the parliamentary whip to allow MPs to vote according to their conscience and restoring the separation of powers.

“The reformists are ready to push this forward, as seen in movements such as Occupy Dataran Merdeka,” said Bon. Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said it is frustrating to operate in an imperfect democracy as there is “no fair access to the media, no room to air grievances and difficult to compete with the government of the day.”

“Although it is imperfect, however, we have succeeded in changing the narrative,” she said. “We have a vested interest in this, because we will be the first to be arrested and we face the brunt of flawed legislation.”

The impetus for change, said Nurul Izzah, who is a vice-president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, must come from voters. “Don’t take this lightly,” she said. “Remind the governments of Selangor and Penang about their promise to hold local government elections.”

The now repealed Emergency Ordinance, she said, had led to the deterioration of police operations because they could use a low standard of evidence to arrest people.

“This is the result of years of having bad laws,” she said. Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, who was one of six PSM leaders detained last year ahead of the Bersih 2.0 rally, said although there appeared to be changes to unpopular laws, they were substituted by worse legislation.

For example, he said, the Peaceful Assembly Act allows the police to arrest anyone who violates the conditions imposed by the police for holding a gathering, with a fine of RM10,000 for those found guilty.

Also, the police can tell the people to disperse, and a fine of RM20,000 could be imposed on those who do not.

However, some gains have been achieved, and the communist bogey that was being used by the government is no longer working, said Devaraj. “We would not have been freed if the people did not rally to our cause and demanded our release,” he said.

“If Pakatan Rakyat comes to power, don’t give them a honeymoon period,” said Devaraj, “otherwise they will become too comfortable, because power corrupts.”

He urged the people not to wait for the general election to develop a wish list of demands for democratic reforms, but to put together their demands now. Civil rights activist Hishamuddin Rais said Malaysia has a procedural democracy, but this was not the essence of democratic space.

“It is an illusion, a magic show that is put up ever five years,” he said, urging structural changes to democratic institutions. “Class interests will be protected because the working class does not have institutions to represent its interests,” he said.

This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 27, 2012.

Full house at SCAH

Hisham - I am a subversive - so what ?

Ladang Bangi Diserang Gangster!

Hari ini 24/7/2012, lebih kurang jam 9.oo pagi, Pemaju Ladang Trans Loyal Development Sdn Bhd. telah menggunakan khidmat gangster untuk meneruskan kerja-kerja penolakan pokok di Ladang Bangi. Menurut penduduk, lebih kurang lima belas gangster berada di kawasan lingkungan keselamatan “100 meter” dan pihak kontraktor meneruskan kerja –kerja penolakan. Walaupun telah dimaklumkan bahawa perbincangan sedang dijalankan di Kerajaan Negeri Selangor pada hari ini berhubung isu perumahan ladang Bangi, namun, pihak pemaju dan kontraktor-kontraktor masih degil.

Pihak penduduk telah membuat laporan polis dan beberapa anggota polis dari Balai Bangi telah ke kawasan kejadian dan meminta kontraktor untuk hentikan kerja-kerja penolakan pokok. Namun, pihak kontraktor masih degil dan tidak mengendahkan arahan pihak polis.

Para penduduk yang amat marah dengan kerakusan pihak pemaju dan kontraktor telah berjaya menghentikan mesin yang beroperasi di kawasan ini. Para penduduk sedang menunggu pegawai polis atasan ke tempat kejadian.



Latar belakang ladang bangi

Ladang Bangi telah wujud untuk lebih seratus tahun dan kini generasi keempat menetap di ladang ini. Hari ini ada 25 orang bekas pekerja ladang yang masih menetap di ladang ini. Ladang ini telah tamat operasi pada tahun 2000. Sejak itu, rumah alternative tetap teres belum dibina. Pada tahun 2007, Pejabat Daerah Kajang bersama pihak Tuan Tanah telah mengadakan mesyuarat dengan wakil-wakil ladang dan berjanji untuk membina sebanyak 44 buah rumah dan sebuah kuil di Bangi untuk penduduk ladang tetapi sehingga hari ini, ia masih belum dilaksanakan.

Isu perumahan Ladang Bangi telah dibawah ke perhatian YB Xavier Jayakumar selaku Exco Kerajaan Negeri Selangor. Perbincangan di antara pemaju, penduduk serta pihak SUK. Malah, pihak pemaju juga telah diberitahu untuk menghentikan kerja-kerja penolakan pokok di kawasan lingkungan keselamatan “100 meter”. Namun, pihak pemaju masih degil dan enggan menurut perintah.

Pihak pemaju telah menggunakan pelbagai taktik untuk meneruskan kerja-kerja penolakan pokok. Namun telah berjaya dihentikan. Kini, pihak pemaju menggunakan kaedah gangster untuk menakutkan para penduduk. Sebanyak lapan aduan polis telah dibuat terhadap pihak pemaju berhubung perkara ini.

LADANG BANGI : PEMAJU RAKUS 4 HARI PUN TAK BOLEH TUNGGU

SUNDAY, 22 July 2012

22 April 2012 - Kajang, Pada hari ini penduduk Ladang Bangi membuat aduan polis terhadap pemaju Trans Loyal Development Sdn. Bhd yang cuba menceroboh kawasan ladang. Pemaju sebelum ini telah beberapa kali menceroboh kawasan sempadan 100m yang ditandakan oleh penduduk. Penduduk juga sebelum ini telah membuat 7 aduan polis. Nampaknya pihak pemaju tidak berputus asa, terus mencari jalan untuk mengusir penduduk ladang secara paksa.

Pada kali ini pemaju telah menceroboh pada 20 Julai dan setelah dihentikan oleh penduduk, serta bantuan oleh PSM khususnya Sdr. Arul, pihak polis telah menasihatkan pemaju agar bersabar sehingga satu perbincangan yang akan diadakan pada 24 Julai di Kerajaan Negeri Selangor.

Pada 21 Julai, pihak pemaju nampaknya tidak bersabar dan sekali menceroboh kawasan 100m serta merobohkan papan tanda sempadan serta pokok-pokok di kawasan tersebut. Tidak cukup dengan itu, pihak polis cuba mendapat bamtuan polis dengan memberikan maklumat yang mengelirukan. Pihak polis yang terpedaya pula (SIO ASP Suresh) memberi amaran kepada penduduk supaya jangan menghalang pemaju.

Risau dengan keadan ini, 2 aduan polis dibuat pada hari oleh Jawatankuasa Penduduk dan Sdr. Arul. Penduduk ladang ini telah bekerja selama 4 generasi membanting tulang demi pembangunan negara. Malangnya pihak pemaju tidak sabar untuk menunggu hanya 4 hari untuk mesyuarat rundingan di bawah task force Kerajan Negeri Selangor supaya masalah ini dapat diselesaikan secara baik. Pemaju kapitalis rakus ini hanya mengutamakan keuntungan. Hak masyarakat ladang terus diketepikan atas nama pembangunan.

Protes TOLAK SYABAS di Shah Alam

PSM turut sama membantah Syabas dan menyokong Kerajaan Negeri Selangor dalam usaha ambilalih air Negeri Selangor. PSM juga menuntut untuk resolusi peringkat negeri untuk mendapat mandat rakyat siapa yang mereka sokong untuk ambilalalih pengurusan air..

Sdr S.Arutchelvan Setiausaha Agung dan A.Sivarajan Bendahari kehormat turut hadir dalama program bantahan ini.

"SYABAS"DEMO LEBIH BESAR AKAN BERLAKU JIKA ITU KEHENDAK UMNO/BN

Oleh Sidiqin Omar 

Lebih 100 peserta berhimpun di hadapan Wisma Rozali dekat sini bagi menyatakan sokongan kepada langkah kerajaan Selangor untuk mengambil alih pegangan konsesi Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas). 

Himpunan bermula jam 12.00 tengah hari dan mereka berarak kira-kira 100 meter dari pintu masuk pasaraya Giant menuju pintu hadapan Wisma Rozali.

Peserta turut melaungkan slogan ‘Kembalikan air kepada rakyat’, ‘Hentikan catuan air’, ‘Pecat Tan Sri Rozali dan ‘Syabas jadi alat Umno.

Selain itu, kain pemidang tertera kenyataan ‘Kerajaan Selangor segera ambil alih Syabas’, ‘Syabas peras ugut rakyat Selangor’, ‘RM8.65 bilion terlalu mahal’ dan ‘Rakyat Selangor hilang air percuma’ turut dinaikkan.

Selepas berunding selama 15 minit, memorandum mengandungi tujuh tuntutan yang didraf AMK Selangor berjaya diserah kepada Ismail Hashim, Pengarah Eksekutif & Pentadbiran Sumber Manusia Syabas.

Antara tuntuan tersebut adalah membantah catuan bekalan air di Selangor oleh Syabas dan menyerahkan operasi air terawat kepada kerajaan negeri.

Memorandum turut membantah pembinaan Loji Langat 2 yang menelan belanja RM8.65 bilion.

Azmizam berkata, jika pentadbiran Syabas tidak mendengar suara mereka dan Rozali masih tidak meletakkan jawatan, satu himpunan lebih besar akan diadakan sebagai sokongan kepada kerajaan negeri untuk mengambil alih pemegang konsesi air tersebut.

Awal minggu lalu, Syabas mengumumkan Selangor kini berdepan krisis bekalan air dan menyatakan hasrat untuk mencatu bekalan air di negeri itu, jika kerajaan negeri menolak pembinaan Loji Langat 2 .

Bagaimanapun, keputusan itu mendapat tentangan Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim yang menegaskan bekalan air di Selangor masih mencukupi.

Khalid yang ragu dengan keputusan Syabas mengumumkan penstrukturan semula bagi mengelakkan penduduk Selangor, Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya menanggung kenaikan tarif air sebanyak 50 peratus.

Kem Kepimpinan Idelogi PSM Selatan

Satu Kursus Kepimpinan untuk Ahli PSM di Selatan telah berjalan dengan berjayanya di Sungai Congkok.

Diskusi kepimpinan, kongsi fikiran dan cara menangani masalah dibincang secara mendalam.

Ramai ahli berasa program ini yang dijalankan dalam suasana relax membantu para kepimpinan peringkat cawangan dalam mengimbas balik komitmen mereka,

Piala Pejuang P. Veerasenan ke 19

8 Julai 2012, Semenyih - Hari ini Pertandingan Bolasepak Pejuang Piala P. Veerasenan berlangsung buat kali ke-19. Pertandingan ini yang diadakan setiap tahun sejak 1993 untuk memperingati pejuang P.Veerasenan yang telah ditembak mati kerana memperjuangkan hak pekerja.

P. Veerasenan yang berjuang untuk hak dan kebajikan pekerja tanpa batasan kaum dan agama pada zaman pemerintahan British. Beliau merupakan salah seorang pemimpin kesatuan Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade Unions (PMFTU) yang progresif dan digeruni oleh pihak British. Beliau telah ditembak mati oleh pihak British pada 3 May 1949 ketika beliau berusia hanya 22 tahun. Sumbangan beliau kepada kaum pekerja Malaya pada masa itu tidak terhingga dan demi mengingati semangat perjuangan beliaulah pertandingan bolasepak P.Veerasenan diadakan.

Apa yang menarik adalah pada hari ini adalah seorang tetamu khas hadir ke Pertandingan P.Veerasenan. Beliau adalah bekas Ketua Cawangan Khas Taiping. Beliau telah bersara dari polis pada tahun 2004 tetapi beliau mengingati beberapa orang aktivis PSM kerana pernah bertembung dengan mereka di luar Kamunting semasa beliau bertugas. Nama beliau pun adalah Veerasenan. Beliau memberitahu bahawa bapanya telah menamakan beliau sempena nama Pejuang Veerasenan. Bapanya adalah seorang bekas anggota INA (Indian National Army) di bawah pimpinan Subbash Chandra Bose yang menentang Penjajah British di India. Anak bekas pegawai Polis ini terbaca mengenai Pertandingan Veerasenan dalam laman web dan memberitahu bapanya dan ini mendorong beliau untuk hadir untuk mengetahui siapakah P.Veerasenan ini. Nampaknya ramai orang telah menamakan anak mereka sempena nama Pejuang Veerasenan.

Berbalik kepada pertandingan pada kali ini, ianya dianjurkan adalah anjuran bersama Persatuan Penduduk Taman Manikavasagam, Pejabat Ahli Majlis Zon 18 – Sdr Arul dan Parti Sosialis Malaysia Cawangan Semenyih. Sebanyak 18 buah pasukan bertarung untuk merebut Piala Pejuang P. Veerasenan ini. Piala ini menjadi milik pasukan tuan rumah – Gemilang Semenyih FC (B) yang menewaskan pasukan AMC FC pada perlawanan akhir dengan jaringan 1-0.

Forum ISA - Penyeksaan yang sempurna

Kempen ini akan dilancarkan pada 19 Julai 2012 bersempena dengan penganjuran forum ISA: Penyeksaan Yang Sempurna yang akan diadakan di Auditorium Dewan Perhimpunan Cina Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor. Forum akan bermula pada jam 8.30 malam dan akan membicarakan mengenai trauma rakyat akibat akta zalim ISA dan isu penyeksaan terkini yang masih berlaku terhadap tahanan. Antara panelis yang bakal membincangkan topik ini ialah, Timbalan Presiden PAS, Mohamad Sabu, Blogger Tukar Tiub Hishamuddin Rais, Isteri bekas tahanan, Norlaila Othman dan Blogger, Wan Ji Wan Hussin. Forum itu juga bakal menampilkan keluarga tahananan ISA yang akan memberikan perkongsian khas kepada hadirin yang hadir.

SUARAM Forum on Police Reform

Akhirnya hari penyerahan Kunci kepada penduduk Kg. Berembang

Kampung Berembang receiving their keys to their new house in Berembang Indah from the Selangor Menteri Besar on 18/7/2012 at 3pm was the email from a fellow comrade who said that the Chairperson of the Berembang committee has sent a sms inviting us. This message immediately stirred my memories on the various fights and confrontations we had in Kampung Berembang since end of 2006 -2007 to defend the houses of the urban settlers there. A struggle and fight that united various people from different backgrounds and ethnicities to defend the houses of the poor and oppressed.

Kampung Berembang, an urban settler village located in Ampang , where most of the residents are from the Malay ethnicity. Until then though we have known that the Malaysian government oppresses all poor people no matter what race , but it  was my first experience seeing people from the Malay community being evicted with such cruelty. The first eviction exercise happened on the 17 November 2006, right after Friday prayers and UMNO General Assembly. The irony was most of the villagers are strong UMNO supporters. But even that did not stop the BN State nor federal government from demolishing the houses.  The people however were clear; though they were supporters and members but they did not allow the party they support to violate their rights. The people from the village defended the Kampung with all they had, and we from JERIT with residents from Kampung Papan , and other villages stood with the people to stop the demolishment. The confrontation was so strong and intense that the Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya could only break 1 and a half house from 3pm – 6pm. The authorities gave up and left, but we knew they will be back on Monday.

Smses were sent out to get as many people to come from all over the country to come help defend the houses of the poor people of Kampung Berembang. It was an era before Facebook or Twitter.  Anyway why the struggle to stop the eviction, what was the demand of the people ? The demand of the Kampung Berembang folks was minimum, own house, flats also okay, but no transit house. The state government was supposed to build low cost flats in a nearby project called Berembang Indah. However, the developer was not moving on that project as the land in Ampang was too lucrative to waste it with low cost houses. Thus houses were not ready for people to buy and the state government with the developer Acmar International, decided to evict the people of that land and send them to PPR houses in Puchong which are temporary rental houses. Residents were against this idea as they will only move if Berembang Indah flats were ready.

On the 20^th November 2006, many people from all walks of life came to defend Kampung Berembang. Members of JERIT, PSM, DEMA and FNB, from PAS, PKR, PERMAS, KOMAS, SUARAM and many other groups and also urban settlers from different villages came to defend Kampung Berembang. Even comrades from Perak and Penang came down to fight the eviction.  It was a tensed situation from morning as about 10am MPAJ officers marched in and the villagers and the activists had a direct clash with the MPAJ officers to stop them from moving in. In that clash about 3 JERIT activists were arrested with a few villagers. The fight put up by the people, activists and youngsters was so intense that MPAJ retreated and there was negotiation with the developer’s lawyer and also PKNS lawyer. But the developer was so adamant to break the houses and the BN Selangor government was fully with them. But the people even the kids of the village refused to budge as they were adamant in stopping the eviction. At last the developer had no choice, but to bring in the police, FRU and many were arrested from JERIT, PSM, DEMA, FNB , Kampung Papan and also the residents before MPAJ could tear down all the houses.

In the police station the situation was so inspiring, cause the police were confused, how come in the demolition of a Malay Kampung, many people from Indian and Chinese ethnicity were arrested. This was really a time where I felt truly Malaysian as people from different ethnicities united to defend the poor people’s house no matter which ethnic the belonged to. The unity of the oppressed class was so clear in Kampung Berembang.

Back  to the demolition, after the MPAJ demolished the houses, people erected tent like structures to continue to defend their village and the right to their own housing. An immediate protest was also held in SUK against the demolition. I still remember it was raining heavily, but the villagers, activists and many normal people who cannot stand the injustice in Kampung Berembang stood strong and demanded an answer from the state government for the cruelty. However, all we got was an officer collecting the memorandum and nothing else from the state government. This was a clear indication for the people, it is their struggle and they have to fight it. The state is with the developer.

Few days after the demolition, as people started erecting their tents and rebuilding the houses, MPAJ and the developer came again. This time it was to demolish the surau where many of the children and women were taking shelter. This was so cruel and was unimaginable as police and FRU entered the Surau with shoes hitting the kids and women forcing them to leave the Surau so that is can demolished. Many would think only temples were demolished in this country, but again Kampung Berembang was an example, doesn’t matter temple or Surau, once the capitalist want the land, anything can be demolished. During this demolishing process also many people were arrested , before they could demolish the surau.  The people always put up a strong resistance before any demolition. The surau was demolished, and the developer thought the people will leave.

But nope, the developer and the state government might have won the battle but the war was far from over. The villagers rebuilt their house and constantly fought the developers and authorities. People leafleted in the whole of Selangor and Kampung Berembang became a national issue. In the kampong, youths, women and even kids were becoming more aware of their rights and were becoming politically conscious of their rights.  Constant confrontation took place with Acmar International, MPAJ, police and even gangsters but the spirit of the people was very strong

Then came March 2007, where the last fight for Berembang happened, where after many police reports and actions, the MPAJ backed out and this time Acmar International came with gangsters , police and RELA. The fight was intense, and the people did not give up, but the machines and authorities were more powerful and yes the houses were demolished and the developer fenced up the land erecting barriers around it. The people were locked out of their land. Many thought the struggle of Kampung Berembang is over as the dust has settled after the demolition. But the villagers thought otherwise. They camped outside the land and decided to build houses and stay there until their demands for permanent housing was met.

This strong spirit from the people was amazing and many groups and concerned people continued to support the Berembang struggle. The people were also politically educated in this whole process, and elections came and went in 2008, the BN state government fell and was replaced by the Pakatan Rakyat. Yes, there was a light at the end of the tunnel, where the Pakatan Rakyat government promised to build their houses in Berembang Indah.

However, that did not happen immediately as there was many glitches and resistance by the developer Acmar International. However the people’s strong spirit and constant push to the state government has enabled the house to be finally ready and yes they got their keys on 19/7/2012. Many people who already left the Kampung before the fight also got their keys, but I guess the people who fought and camped outside the land for the past 5 years can be proud that their fight enabled the Berembang Indah flats to be completed.

As I attended the function of the handing over the keys, I could see the old makciks were smiling happily and feel relieved that finally their house is ready. Villagers young and old as they see us from JERIT remember us and the look in their eyes shows that they are glad that finally their struggle bore fruit.  One of them hugged me and I could feel her happiness and gratitude as we were with them all along their struggle. Another villager blessed me and the youngsters were happy to see us and kept on asking why the other JERIT, DEMA and FNB members were not there. Many people still remembered all the names who were there fighting alongside with them though we are not from the same race or religion but they treat us like a family member.  Arul from PSM was so popular even the youngsters who were kids then were competing to take photos with him.

The feeling that day was relieve and happiness for me. I was glad it was over for them. They do not need to stay in camps and temporary houses below the electricity line anymore as their new house that they fought so hard was ready. The struggle of Kampung Berembang has reached the last chapter with a happy ending. But the thoughts about the fight and memories about the struggle are still fresh in mind. This community and many communities during the struggle of Kampung Berembang learned a great lesson that in the time of need and struggle, no matter what race or religion you belong to, people will unite to assist another poor community to defend their rights.  For many new activists today BERSIH showed them the unity of Malaysia, but for me the struggle and memories in Kampung Berembang is the one that reiterated the believe that we can unite despite our different background as we build a better Malaysia and world as only the poor and oppressed will understand the importance and meaning of unity. Written By Kohila JERIT